Lake County Sentinel
Perry prevails 35-28 over Geneva in overtime classic
BY JOEY SCHNEIDER
STAFF
(GENEVA, OH) - The Eagles of Geneva (3-1) were hoping for their first win over the Perry Pirates (2-2) on Friday night at SPIRE Stadium in Geneva. It would have been their first win over Perry since 1948, but the Pirates who are without one of their two starting quarterbacks in McKoy Richards who is out for the season, had a plethora of players step up all game. Pirates running back Carter Hopkins scored on a five-yard touchdown run in overtime his second of the game. This set up the final drive as Geneva, who had been rushing the ball well all game on the backs of Caden Proy and Bryce Peet were stuffed on fourth and four to end the game, 35-28.
After the game Perry coach Bob Gecewich was asked about his players stepping up and becoming leaders on the field. "Yeah, that's what you have to have in an overtime game like that. Any given play it can be somebody different and tonight I think a lot of people took their turns being that guy. You just line up and play the next snap."
Perry's senior Trent Taylor, who is committed to Bowling Green as a tight end, played all over the field wherever he was needed. Taylor played tight end, offensive tackle, defensive end, defensive tackle, and linebacker at various times, during the game. He was asked about being all over the field and the team coming through at the end. "Yeah, it's a team sport and everyone knows that, and one guy can't win you the game. So, it showed really on that last drive there everybody came together and did their job." He was also asked about others stepping up and he was happy to give credit to his teammates. "Jimmy Ashburn hasn't been used much as a receiver all year, he comes out has some big catches, he fights every time he has the ball. Ashburn had five receptions for 54 yards.
Perry had some standout performances including quarterback Nate Trefzger who was 17 for 26 for 243 yards and a touchdown as well 50 yards rushing. Junior wide receiver Greg Mechenbier, who has been a rock for Perry all year with five receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown as well.
Geneva may have lost this game, but they never let it get out of reach. They stepped out time and again, only ever trailing by no more than seven points. They played as tough as they could and had a phenomenal rushing attack all game with senior Caden Proy who had 19 rushes for 111 yards and two touchdowns, as well as senior Bryce Peet who also had a day as he rushed for 147 yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns as well.
The night belonged to Perry in the end though. "I'm just happy for them. I've been in a lot of these, I hope I'll be on a lot more. They only get four years, and they’re not even guaranteed 10 games, so I'm really excited for those guys to see all their work come to fruition and wind up on the positive side of it." said coach Gecewich beaming with pride while talking about the last play of the game.
Perry improved to 3-2 on the season and will be at home next week taking on the Lutheran West Longhorns, while Geneva who fell to 3-2 looks to get back in the win column on the road against the Edgewood Warriors. Both games are set for Friday September 26th with 7:00 pm start times.
POSTED 09/20/2025 00:23
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Photo by Joey Schneider
